West Point Cadets to take on the New York Yankees for first time in preseason since 1976

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Yankees have never lost at West Point dating back to 1927 when their "Murderer's Row" lineup had Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

In 21 previous contests, the closest Army ever came was in 1966, when Mickey Mantle's RBI ground ball plated the game's only run in a 1-0 Bronx Bomber win.

Could the Cadets make history today?

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With half their regulars - Jeter, A-Rod, Texeira, Granderson - sidelined by injuries, the Yankees might have a hard time keeping their perfect West Point record intact.

It's the last tune-up of the spring for manager Joe Girardi's ballclub that opens the regular season on Monday, at Yankee Stadium, against the Red Sox.

"It's a tremendous honor for our organization to play at West Point, which is one of our country's most historically significant institutions," Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner said.

Today's 2 p.m. game is scheduled for the military academy's Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field, named for Ballston Spa native Abner Doubleday, an 1842 West Point graduate who for many years was credited with inventing baseball in Cooperstown.

The field was dedicated in 1939, which the major leagues recognized as baseball's centennial year.

It's generally agreed now that Doubleday isn't the game's founding father, but there's no question about his role as Union hero at the Battle of Gettysburg, whose 150th anniversary is being observed this year.

The Cadets are 7-11 overall, but 3-1 at home

where they beat Siena, 7-6, on Tuesday in their last outing. Army hosts Navy in back-to-back doubleheaders on Easter Sunday and Monday.

The Yankees bring a 13-18 spring training record - second worst among American League clubs - into today's contest, their first visit to West Point since 1976, when they captured their first AL pennant in 12 years under manager Billy Martin, an army veteran.

Previous games were played in 1927-28, '30-37, '44, '61-64, '66, '68-69, '72, '74 and '76.

For seven of their eight visits between 1961 and 1972, the Yankees were led by Manager Ralph Houk, who was known as "The Major" for his bravery as an Army armored corps officer in World War II.

The Yankee skipper for the 1964 game was former U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Yogi Berra, who was a gunner's mate on a rocket boat that provided cover fire for the troop landings on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion.

"The Yankees have always held the nation's servicemen and servicewomen in the highest regard," Steinbrenner said. "Playing in this game is our way of showing appreciation for their valor and the sacrifices made by all members of the United States armed forces."